William and Kate to visit refinery

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit an oil refinery in Wales today before watching rugby at the Millennium Stadium.

It is William and Kate’s first visit to the country, where they used to live, since the announcement they are expecting their second child.

The couple have a number of engagements this month after Kate, who is 15 weeks pregnant, returned to royal duties in late October.

Her return to work came as her extreme morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, showed improvement.

The first stop on their Welsh visit is t he Valero Pembroke Refinery on the Pembrokeshire coast, which employs more than 1,200 local people and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The refinery was officially opened in 1964 by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and became the first major industrial employer in South Pembrokeshire since the closure of Pembroke Dock in 1926.

Upon arrival, William and Kate will view a display which chronicles the 50-year history of the refinery, which contributes £1.5 million a week to the Welsh community, and its relationship with the local area.

They will meet workers, apprentices, placement students and their mentors before visiting the control room to hear from blending and shipping workers.

The couple will also see representatives from various community organisations supported by the refinery before watching a performance by the Young Actors Studio.

Valero Pembroke Refinery has a throughput capacity of 270,000 barrels per day and operates a pipeline stretching as far as Manchester, supplying more than 10% of the UK’s fuel.

After the visit, William, vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, accompanied by Kate, will travel to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

They will attend the Rugby Union international match between Wales and Australia, which will begin with a Remembrance Tribute.

During half-time, William and Kate will privately meet injured servicemen in the President’s Box. William will also meet injured players and their families at a reception after the match.

Australia and Wales have competed against each other in rugby union in 37 matches, Australia winning 26 and Wales 10, with one draw.

The teams have competed for the James Bevan Trophy, created to celebrate 100 years of rugby between the two nations, since 2007.

In 1972, the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust was set up to support players who have been seriously injured while playing rugby in Wales.

The Trust currently supports 28 injured rugby players and is the declared priority for charitable assistance from the Welsh Rugby Union.